In Memory

Killed in a tractor accident. The tractor hit a culvert and he was thrown from it and then run over.

Cochran Funeral home in Livingston is handling the arrangements. The funeral service is 3:00 Sunday afternoon Jan. 11, 2009 at First United Methodist Church in Livingston.
Visitation Saturday Jan. 10, 2009 from 5:00 to 7:00 at Cochran Funeral home in Livingston.

Charles Truett Parrish Jr., 53, of Livingston, and previously of Nacogdoches, was killed in an accident at 3:45 p.m., Wednesday, according to the Department of Public Safety. Parrish was southbound on Loop 116 in Polk County, one mile south of Leggett when his 1982 John Deer tractor veered right and struck a culvert, ejecting him where he was struck by the right rear tire, DPS said. A death inquest was performed by Larry Whitworth, Polk County Justice of the Peace precinct 3, DPS said. Parrish was not wearing a seatbelt at the time, according to DPS. The accident was investigated by Trooper Darwon Evans.

Charles Truett Parrish Jr.

Funeral services for Charles Truett Parrish Jr., 53, of Livingston and formerly of Nacogdoches will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, at First United Methodist Church, Livingston. Burial will be in Bold Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10. Cochran Funeral Home, Livingston.Published in The Daily Sentinel on 1/10/2009

Funeral services for Charles Truett Parrish, Jr., 53, of Livingston, will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, January 11, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church in Livingston, with the Rev. Mike Mayhugh, Rev. Ricky Ricks, and Rev. James Frazier officiating, with interment to follow in the Bold Springs Cemetery.

Charles Truett Parrish, Jr. was born December 14, 1955, in Livingston, Texas to C.T. (Truett) Parrish and Patsy Wainwright Parrish. He died Wednesday, January 7, 2009, north of New Willard, Texas, while driving the farm¹s tractor and mower in from the pasture. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Byrd Parrish; daughters, Destiny Parrish, Julie Hickmon, Sara Hickmon, and Cinnimon Hickmon; grandson, Westen Price of Livingston; sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Ricky Ricks of Henderson, sister and brother-in-law, Katherine and Steve Whitbeck of Nacogdoches; brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Carol Parrish of New Willard; nephews, Brent Ricks and Kendall Whitbeck; nieces, Kelsey Ricks and Samantha Whitbeck; and a host of friends and relatives.

Charles enjoyed the first ten years of his life in Livingston riding bicycles, playing army, swimming, roller skating at his father¹s skating rink, and feeding cows in New Willard, Leggett and Seven Oaks. He could often be spotted standing on the cattle bars of his Granddaddy Wainwright¹s truck with his older sister Patricia as they traveled to and from the pastures. He also taught his younger sister Katherine how to smoke one of their daddy¹s cigars. And he participated in the midnight search for his younger brother Michael, who had wandered away from home. Charles was baptized at First United Methodist Church, Livingston, where he and his family were active members. He also visited the Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church in New Willard with maternal grandparents, C.S. and Florence Wainwright, and often spent Sunday afternoons playing Sorry with his cousins at the Leggett home of paternal grandparents, Lowman and Dovie Parrish.

Charles moved with his family to Nacogdoches, Texas, in 1966, beginning school at Raguet Elementary, continuing through Thomas J. Rusk Junior High, and graduating from Nacogdoches High School in 1974. While in school he participated in band and football in junior high, and in Health Occupational CO-OP Training in high school. Charles trained in radiology and received an award for Outstanding HOCT Student. As a youth, Charles was an active member of First United Methodist Church, Nacogdoches, touring with the Youth Choir, serving on the UMYF Council, attending District Summer Church Camp, and serving as a leader on the Camp Council. He introduced the youth of Nacogdoches to Polk County when he led a mission trip to paint the church in New Willard.

Charles attended Stephen F. Austin State University, graduating in 1983 with a degree in psychology. While in college, he and his friends enjoyed many philosophical discussions while sitting around Table One at the Pizza Inn Restaurant. They became known as the T-1 Gang. During his eclectic career, Charles hitchhiked to Alaska to work in a fish cannery, drove to the Louisiana coast to work on an offshore oil rig, and traveled all over East Texas to mow highways with his father. He also served as a house parent at Summit Oaks near Laneville, and as a social case worker near Tyler and in Polk County.

In 2004, Charles formed Steerwater Management, LCC, with Patricia, Katherine, and Michael. He served as vice-president and secretary. He educated himself about cattle, timber, oil leases, mineral rights, and land surveying. He could often be found in the Polk County Courthouse, pouring over maps and deeds, or out in the pasture, working with cattle, planting trees, and fixing fence. Charles served as secretary for the Polk County Forest Landowners Association and trustee for the Thompson Memorial Church.

Charles became the husband of Joyce Byrd and the father of Julie, Sara, and Cinnimon in 1996. He and his new family welcomed his and Joyce¹s daughter, Destiny Charla Lorraine, in 1997. Charles was a dedicated, loving, and compassionate father: "a great daddy." He encouraged his daughters in their activities: soccer, band, choir, drill team, and art. Charles also provided opportunities for spiritual growth, becoming active again at First United Methodist Church, Livingston, teaching Sunday school, and encouraging his daughters¹ participation in Sunday school, children¹s choir, church camp, and other church activities. In April 2008, Charles proudly listened to Destiny sing a solo in worship, and watched her climb the Stuart W. Moore Memorial Climbing Tower. In July, he welcomed his grandson Westen. Charles loved his nephews Brent and Kendall and nieces Kelsey and Samantha, showing his affection for them by repeatedly telling them "I love you so much" and giving them really good hugs and kisses.

He extended his love to all of his family and to all of his friends. Charles was a marvelous dancer, which his mother and sisters appreciated. Like his parents, he was an avid reader. He was also a writer. To a few people, he was known as "Ignatz." He wore his cross and peace sign necklace, his bandanas, his faded jeans, his sandals or duck-taped rubber boots, his several coats at one time, and his hair in several styles varying from buzz cuts to twelve-inch ponytails. He always had a Dr. Pepper in hand, and often asserted that he should have invested in Dr. Pepper so he could recoup some of his expenses.

Charles had a high regard for nature and wildlife, especially butterflies, and always wanted to start a company named "Butterfly Enterprises." He was a compassionate person. To further extend that compassion, the family requests that memorials be given to Missions and Children¹s Ministries at a local United Methodist Church, the National Wildlife Fund, or to the Patsy W. Parrish Scholarship, NHS Alumni Association, 4310 Appleby Sand Road, Nacogdoches, TX, 75965. "Butterflies have but moments and have time enough." Cochran Funeral Home, Livingston.

Nena, Thanks for letting us know about Charles. I can relate to what Gary said. Charles was one of the "Good Guys". He was a buddy in high school. Like alot of other classmates, we drifted apart over the years. He was always willing to help out, no matter which side of the tracks you lived. Another Golden Dragon, that will always be remembered.

After I moved from Nacogdoches, I lived in Livingston. I remember Charles coming to visit me in Livingston. He had just moved in with his grandparents. He was always smiling. I remember him as being super intelligent as well. I know his family is having difficulty dealing with the loss of this great guy.

I can't even begin to express my feelings. I got to know Charles, or "Charlie" as we called him, best after graduation.

We would hang out at the Pizza Inn with several other friends at the first table you saw when you walked in. That table was called "Table One". For decades afterwards, we always referred to ourselves as charter members of the "T-1 Gang"...no beer was to bad or too hot to drink, Tequila and 151 was our poison of choice during the allnight parties we threw.

Charlie was always a fun guy to be around and always kicked my butt when we played some bloodthirsty, no-holds-barred-take-no-prisoners Spade game. Another game we played fanatically was the board game "Risk". One night,(we were probably drunk) we put 2 boards together and introduced "nukes" into the game...no winners that night.

Charlie, I'll miss you dude. I'll never forget the road trips to Dallas the gang made every year (remember "squeegles" on I-20?) and all the fun we had in between.

I am so saddened to hear about Charles. He was a very good friend to everyone he knew. He was going to SFA at the same time as I. He’d work offshore (drilling rigs) during the summer to help pay for school during the fall and spring semester. Each time we saw each other we’d stop and spend some time talking. What a great guy he was. He’ll be missed.

Charles was my best friends in High School. We used to talk for hours about all the cosmos and philsophy and the meaning of life, usually out in the country some where with some wine! We shared some good, and some not so good, experiences but one thing, he was always true to his family his friends, and his beliefs. I'm sure he was like that all his life. Charles was in our wedding in 1977 and then I lost contact with him. From time to time over the years, I have thought about tracking him down and now I've watied too long. I am very sad for his family and pray for their comfort. Maybe there's a lesson in this about renewing old friendships while we can...

Nena Smith, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Whitley (retired librarian at Raguet), and I went to Livingston for Charles' funeral today. It was a lovely service & his beautiful 11 y.o. dtr., Destiny, sang. Patricia's hsb., Ricky Ricks, pastor at First Methodist in Henderson, did the eulogy & it was so touching. Nena & I will share stories later. Charles would be so proud & Fernando looked handsome in his suit as a pallbearer. Wayne Lazarine & Cindy Holt's brother, Danny, were also pallbearers. I am going to sub for Katherine Parrish Whitbeck tomorrow at NHS so she can be w/ the family tomorrow. Again, I cannot tell you how beautiful Destiny is. She is one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen & what a voice.

Another pallbearer was Curtis Watson's younger brother Steve. We all wanted to get up and say something that we remembered about Charlie, but there were so many memories, so we sat there, lost in out thoughts and memories.

In Charlies obituary, there was this:

"While in college, he and his friends enjoyed many philosophical discussions while sitting around Table One at the Pizza Inn Restaurant. They became known as the T-1 Gang"

That brought a smile to our faces because we had one unwritten rule about those philosophical discussions, NO THROWING PUNCHES. Ice, tea, glasses, chairs, the questioning of someones parentage and masculinity were allowed (and frequently used). They would start about 8-9 pm, and go on until someone would look at their watch and say "Hey guys, the sun is coming up, I have to be at work in 2 hours."

Occasionally, Charlie would let his inner prankster out and ask an innocent question, then sit back with a slight grin and enjoy the verbal brawl that would break out.

The family had two of his old coats Charles liked to wear together, a layering trend setter far before it became popular, but that WAS Charles. A pair of muddy rubber boots he used for farm work that looked suspiciously like the pair I have in the back room rested at the base of the plainly attractive bold grained pine casket with brass hardware. The ceremony concluded just about sundown in the beautiful pine and pasture country side. I gave Fernando a handshake that turned into a hug and was a bit overcome and unable to speak for a while. We promised to get together soon and I hope to make it so.

I was just reading through the tributes to Charles and realized I posted others but never said anything myself.

Charles was one of the nicest guys I have ever known. He was a gentleman, even in 8th grade! I think he would've taken his coat off and thrown it over a muddy ditch for a girl to walk over. He was just that chivalrous.

Even his posture showed respect to the person he was talking to. His mom was always a favorite of mine also, given my affinity for reading and books. Of course, she sometimes had to crack the whip when our study lab classes in her library at TJR got out of hand. But we deserved to be chastised.

I still can't believe Charles is gone even after over a year. He was such a shining star in our class.